System of motor control.



o. 872,939 PATENTED DEC. 3, 1907. G. H. HILL.

SYSTEM 015 MOTOR CONTROL.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 7, 1906.

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aa/w No. 872,939. I I PATENTED DEC. 3-, 1907.

G. H. HILL.

SYSTEM OF MOTOR CONTROL.

APPLICATION FILED APBJ. 1906.

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Wiiiflesses: lnvenm".

Gorge H.HiH.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE .l'l. HILL, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW

YORK, ASSlGNOIt TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SYSTEM OF MOTOR CONTROL.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE H. HILL, a

citizen of the United States, residing at run as braking generators driven by the load.

In electric railways, for example, 'it is advantageous to be able to retard the move- 'ment of thecar or train by causingthe proelling motors to enerate current, not only or the urpose of raking upon failure of the usual aii brakes but also because in this Way I the wear and tear u n the wheels due to contact with brake 3 cos is avoided. This method of brakingis of especial importance inlocomotivesodapted to run on lines having long'grades wherein braking conditions may arise such that, if only the usual 'airbra kes were employed, the friction between brake shoes and the tires might heat the tires to such an extent as to loosen them,,or the tires might be worn so thinae to be in danger of breaking. In either case disastrous results would follow upon an application of brake shoes under conditions quite safe for electric braking or combined electric brakes and ordinary braking.

The object of the present invention is to provide a-reliable and efficient system for controlling motors both as motors and as generators.

In my prior application Serial Number 230,634, filed Oct. 31, 1904, there is disclosed a system of controller motors particularly adapted for use on heavy locomotives and one in which an electric braking arrangement may well be employed.

In one of its aspects the present invention may be considered as com rising improvements in the system set forth in said ap lica- *tion although it is of course understoor that the features of novelty constituting the pres "to para ent invention may be equally well employed in other systems.

Inm'y prior svstem no means is provided for "flanking. a bridging connectionin passing lel on account the corn- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 7. 1906. Serial No. 310.414. 7

Patented Dec. 3, 1907.

plications which such means would ordinarily involve.

A further object of the present invention is 1 'to make it possible to alter the motor connections from series through series-parallel a and parallel without breaking the motorcir cuit'andwithout the addition of complicatedgglio circuits and switch apparatus.

The present invention, therefor prises a novel construction and arra ement of parts in a s stenrof control to be ereinafter describe and'particularly pointed out .in theclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 e, com

indicates diagrammatically a completognultiple unit control equipment for one car or locomotive arranged in accordance wltlrthe present inventlon; Figs. 2-6 are dlagrams showing the motor circuits under various conditions Fig. 7 shows in side elevation the operating means for the master controlling g switch and the connections between these switches and the braking switch; and Figs.

8 and 9 are cross-sections'takenon line 89, of Pi 7, showing the handle of the brake switcli indifferent operative positions.

The systemshown in the drawings, except as modified b reason of the improvements constituting the present invention, is in all respects the same as that illustrated in my aforesaid application to which reference may be hadfor'a more detailed description of the various old features.

Referring to the drawings, M ,-M M and M are motors, preferably series motors.

O represents a motor controller of the separatelysactuated contact type including line contacts T to T, inclusive, series contacts S to S inclusive, parallel contacts P to P,

inclusive, bridging contacts B to B, inclusive, contacts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14 and "15, governing resistance sections R, R, Ra, 5 R0, R7, e RlorRll, R13, R44 d R15. and braking contacts A to A, inclusive.

F is a throttle or overload relay which closes a circuit throu h a controller checkin device Kv which may he of the type describe in a atent to FrankE. Case, No. 801,214, Oclio er 10, 1905, forisystems of motorcontro C and C are master controllers," the one I I Raging shown developed and the other out- RS and R S are reversing switches having associated therewith interlocks E and'E B C, contact If, movable controller from prises a number of fixed contacts indicated 30 Operating movable contacts is brought into its first running position wherein the contacts along lines of the cylinder'H engage with the contacts hh A circuit contacts.

. D indicates a master reversing switch.

L and L are brake switches arranged to modify the control circuits when the motors are to be operated as'braking enerators.

Tis a trolley or collector s cc which receives current from a stationary conductor. Any desired number. of collecting devices ma of course be employed.

he duplicate master'switch' devices are connected in multiple, to wires-.17'to3l, inclusive, which'extend throughout the length ofthe locomotive, and the'actuating means for the reversing, switch and motor controller are energized from these wires. The master controller consists preferably of two- 0 l-- inders H and R controlliu respective y, the motor connections and t e resistances. These cyhnders are geared together so that the resistancc cylinder revolves three times d 'ng the movement of the other cylinder from off to full Cparallel position. The cylinder H is provide. with contact segments which cooperate with the stationary contacts h to-h, while contacts arranged upon the cylinder R cooperate with stationary contacts 1' to r he brake switch L comy small circles Z to I, to ether with oli -k. a '11 be seen that the fixed resistance controlling contacts in the master controller are directly connected to the train Wires while a portion of the remainin fixed contacts of the master controller and t 1e fixed contacts of the mas ter reversing switch are connected to the train wires through the brake switch.

Assuming that 1t is desired to move the car or train to the right: the brake switch is made to 00011 y the position shown, if it has not previous y been in such position, the movable member (1 of the master reversing switch is moved into engagement with the fixed contacts (1 and the master controller may now be traced from current collector T to wire 32, blow-out coil 13 C, blow-out coil tacts, contacts h, contactsd and 'dof the master reversing switch, contacts I and k of the brake switch, contacts I and k of the brake switch, train wire 18, wire 18, actu ating coil 0 of the reversing switch R S, lower contact of interlock c interlock t of line contact T to round; thereby causing the reversing switc R S tokbe moved to the position shown and bringing the 'ni'ovable member of the interlock e into'position wherein" if engages the upper of the fixed The maintaining circuit for the reversing switch now passes from the upper contact of interlock a, through the actuaung 1 coil of switch T4 through the actuating coil of switch T ,v through the actuating coil of switch-T, to ground. Similarl a branch circuit passing-from wire 18?, t rough wire 18", causes the operation of reversing switch R S and the subselr luent energization of line j contacts T, T Thus both reversing switches are operated and the line contactors from the connection between blow-out coil .T to T closed. A further circuit assi'ng' -from the master controller is as folowsz+ B C and contacts it, through contacts Z, k, 1

Z and k of thebrake switch, to contact h of the controller and thencethrough the movable controller contacts h, train wire 19, and thence through the actuating coils of switches S, S and S to ground. Seriesswitches S, S and S are. therefore closed. And, by tracing the motor circuits, it wilLbe found thatthe motors are connectedacross the line in series with each other and in series with all the resistance Rto B. As the master controller is rotated, the resistances are cut out'step-by-ste until the motors remam in series across t e line with no resistance in circuit. As the controller is turnedinto the series parallel position,- namely, in the position wherein the movable contacts engage with'the fixed contacts along line 8 p, movable contact 0 engages with fixed contact h before movable contact 0 leaves fixed. contact 7L3. Thus, before the series .contacts are opened, current flows from master controller out of contact h to train wire 23, and thence through actuating coils of switches B B S S to ground. Thus bridging contacts B and B, are closed before any oflthe series contacts are opened and the I maintaining circuit for series contacts S and S ,is established. The, motor connections are now as'mdlcated m Fig. 3, namely,,con-

tact S remains closed, and motors M and M, I

one terminal of which is already'connected to the current collector, have their other terminal connected to ground through resistance Q, while motors M and M". are connected to the current collector through resistance Q. As the master controller continues to rotate, the resistance switches are opened, cutting in again all the resistance as indicated in Fig. 4-, and when segment 0 leaves fixed contact it series switch S is opened and the motors are left connected in parallel as indicated in Fig. 5. Thereafter the resistances are out out and the motors connected in full parallel in a :manner described in my application.

The" arrangement prov ed for passing from series to series-parallel is of importance since it is impossible to so locate the speed.-

oontrolling resistances in such a manner that proper bridgeconnections may be made both nections.

It will be noted that if, while the train is running in the direction assumed, it is do sired to cause the motors to act as braking generators, the master controller may be re- 1O turned to its oil position, opening all. the

circuits and then, if the brake switch is 7 brought to the position wherein the left-hand row: of movable contacts engages with the middle row of fixed contacts and the controller is a ain returned toits first running posltion, the c1rcuit. wh1ch pre v'iously passedthrough the master reversing switch to train wire '18 now, atter reaching contact I, passes through contact k, contact 19 contact 1,

20 to train wire 17; so that now the actuating magnets v and 'v of the reversing switches, instead of the magnets o and 12 will be energized, namely, the motor connections will be reversed.

contacts is, k and k engage respectively,

with fixed contacts 1, l and 1 current passes from contact h to contact Z ,and thence through brakes switch contacts 15 k andk, and l and Zito trainwires 22 and Current also flows from wire 32 through contacts I, k, k and 'l to train wire 30. From train wire .30 currentflows through the actuating coils of switches A A?, A and A, to ground; switches A, A A and A being 40 closed. Current also flows through train wire 22, through the actuating coils of contacts P and 1?, through the upper contacts of interlock a on the switch A, to ground.

From wire 23, current flows throughthe actuatingcoil of contact B, through the upper contacts of interlock (15 associated with contact A, to ground. The motors are now connected in individual closed circuits, each circuit including a group of main resistance -sections and on e'oi' the auxiliary resistance sections Q to Q. indicated in Fig. 6.

These motor circuits are The -master controller I may w be operated so as to cutout the main resistance sections step-by-step. It

55 will be noted that if at any time the braking current becomes too great, the circuit containing'the coil of the checking device K will be completed so that no further resistance may be eliminated from the generator circuits until the current has diminished.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9 I have indicated a suitable. arrangement of master switch. apparatus comprising: the master reversing switch "D; the master controlling switch having cyl- At the same time, by reason ot- 25 contacts [c and k leaving the corresponding inders R and H; and the brake switch L. The reversing switch 15 operatedillv a handle 48 forming part of the train of operating A cam mechanism for the master switch. 49 on the shaft 48 is adapted to'move a dog 50 into engagement with the hook 47 or into engagement with the end 51 of the member 43 when the shaft 48 is turned out of its off position. Thus it will be seen. that when the master controller is in its off position the brake switch is free to be operated to either its power or its braking position and, if it is moved into the braking position, it causes the reversing switch to be I looked. As soon, however, as the handle 41 is n'ioved out of the off position, the. dog 50 is brought intooperative engagement with the member 43 so that the brake switch is locked in the position to which it has been brought as-long as the master controller is in a run ning position. The usual interlock. between the reversing switch and the master controller is provided "so that the master switch is free to be rotated only when the reversing switch is in a running position. Also when the brake switch is in the braking .position, the portion 43 of the member 43 lies in the path oi a lug 42) on the cam 49 and prevents the controller from turningv past full series position. i

In operation, the handle of the brake switch is turned to the power position as indicated in Fig.3, and then the reversing switch and master controller are free to be operated in the usual way, but, as soon as the master osition the brake switch is positively locked. 11 case it is desired to operate the motors as braking generators, the controller is returned made in' the ordinary separately-actuated contact type control system in order to.

40, the master controller by a handle and.

to the ,off" position, thereby releasing the brake switch and the handle of the brake 110 controller has been brought, into running adapt it to control the motors, not only in the usual way, but also to cause them to act advantageously as braking generators.

Although I have described the best form.

of iny invention now known" to me, I do not desire to be limited to the particular construction and organization of parts illustrated exce t to the extent indicated in the a pended c aims,.since in its broader aspects t e invention may take various forms.

'What I'claim as new and'de'sire to secure by Letters Iatent of the United States, is,

1. In a systemof control, a motor or motors, a speed-controlling switch, a directioncontrolling switch, a brake switch, and connections so arranged that the operation of i -the brake-switch to thebraking position causes the reversal of the connections of the motor or motors asdeterininedby the direction-controlling switch. I I

2. In a'system of-control, a source of current supply} a motoror motors, a speed-controlling switch, a direction-controlling switch, a brake switch, and connections so arrangedthat; when the-brake switch is inone position the speed-controlling switch and directioncontrolling. switch operate to connect said motor or motors to said source of current 1 supply for either direction of rotation and to vary the sieed of the motor or motors, While in its power position the operation of the speed-controlling switch causes the motortor motors to be connected to said source of current supply for normal o era'tion, while upon moving the brake swi'tc toits braking position without changing the direction-controlling switch, the speed controller serves to cause the motor or motors to continueto operate as braking generators.

4. In a system of control, motors, a source of current supply, a series-parallel motor controller, a reversing switch, a master controller, a master reversing switch, a brakej switch, and control connections so arran' ed that the operation of the master controler causes the motors to be successively connected in series and'in parallel to said source of current supply in one position of the brake switch and in se arate closed circuits in another osition o the brake switch.

5-. n a system of control, motors, a source of current supply, a; series-parallel, motor controller, areversing switch, master switch-v devices, a two-position jj brake switch, and connections such that same operatir of'the -:having. powerf'an master switch devices causes the motors to I be connected to said source of current supply first in series and then in parallel in one position of the brake switch and to connect the motors in separate closed, circuits inthe other position of the braking switch.

6. In a system of control, motors, va source, of current supply, resistances, a serles-parallel motor controller, a reversing switch, mas' ter switch devices, a'two position brake switch, and connections such thatsameoP- eration. of the master switch devices causes the motors to be connected to said sourceof current supply first in series and then in'parf-f 1 allel in one; position of the brake switchand to connect the motors inseparatexclo scdioircults including said resistances in the-' 'other position ofthe braking switch- 7-,;In a' controlleni a ,,speed..-'controlling:

switch, a -reversin switch, a brake'switch;

raking positions, an'dy means associated with said speed-controliing i x I switch for'lo'cking saidbrake switch in either I Y switch is n a running position.

switchfa reversin switch, a brake switch having power an switch for locking both the reversing switch and the brake swltch in either of their operative positions when the controlling switch is 'for locking both the reversing switch and the brake switch in either of their operative po-- sitions when thespeed-cdhtrolling switch is in a running posltlon, and means associated wlth-the brake switch for locking the reversing switch in'either'operative position when the brake switch is in the braking position.

1:0. In a controller, a speed -controlling switch, a reversing switch, a brake switch having power and braking positions, means associated with the brake switch for-locking the reversing switch'in either esition, and means for locking the s cc controlling switch against movement eyond an intermediate osition when the brake switch is in the braking position. i (j 11. In a controller, a speed-controlling switch, a reversing switch, abrake switch,

of its positions when the speed-controlling.' ".90

8. In. a controller, a speed-controlling braking positions, and means associated with said speed-controlling speed controlling havingpower and braking positions, meansfl associated with said speed-controlling switch for locking both'the reversing switch and the brake switch in either of their operative posltions when the speed-controlling switch is in a running position, m cans associated with the brake switch for locking the reversing switchv in either operative position when said brake switch is 111 its braking (113081131011, and means for locking the spec controlling switch against movement beyond an intermediate position when the brake switch 18 In the braking position.

12. In a control system, a source of current supply, motors, variable resistances, a motor controller, 'a reversing switch, master switch-devices, a two-position brake switch,

brake resistances, and connections such that the same operation of the master switchdevices causes the motors to be connected to said source of current supply in series and in parallel with said variable resistance in cir- 'cuit in one position of the brake switch and g in the other position of the brake switch circuits connecti causes the motors to be connected in se arate closed circuits including said varia le resistance and said braking resistance.

13. In a system of control, asource of current supply, motors, a resistance, a motor controller of the separately-actuated con tact type, a master controller and control said master controller to said motor contro ler for causing the-motors to be connected to the sourceof current supply with said resistance incircuit and saidv resistance to be gradually eliminated, and a brake switch arranged to alter the control 40' ances andthen to eliminate said resistances circuits so as to cause the motor controller to short-circuit the-motors through said resistance and said resistance to be gradually eliminated during the normal operation of the master controller.

14.- In a system of control, a source of current supply, a plurality of motors,- resist- '-'ances,-a motor-controller of the separatelyactuated contact type, a master controller and control circuits arranged to cause the motor controller to operate to connect'the motors to said source of current su ply'in series with each otherand with said resist 1 andconnect the motor in parallel with said resistances in circuit, and a brake switch arranged to alter said control circuits so that.

during normal operation of the master controller the motors are connected in separate circuits independent of said source of ourrent su ply and including said resistances.

. 15. n a system of control, a source of current supply, motors, resistances, a motor controller of the separately-actuated contact type, a master controller, control circuits between said master controller and said motor controller so arra 55.

' of the switch is operated.

16. In a system of control, a'source of current supply, a motor, a motor controller, a reversing switch, a master controller, a mas ter. reversing switch, control circuits between said controller and switches arranged to cause the motor to be connected to the source of current supply for either direction of'rotation upon the proper operation of the master reversing switch and of the master controllenand abrake switch arranged to alter said controlcircuits so that the normal operation of the master controller and of the master reversing switch causes the motor to be short-circuite'dwith the. windings -connected in the opposite relation to that indicated by the position of the master reversing switch.

1.7. In a system of control, amotor, a reversing switch, a pair of electromagnets for operating said switch, a master reversing switch and control circuits so arranged that inone running position of the master switch one electromagnet is energized while the ,7 other electromagnet is energized in the other running position of the master switch, and a brake switch arranged to vary the said control circuits so that in either running position of the master switch the electromagnet corresponding to the other running position v 18. In a system of control, a source of current supply, a motor, a motor controller of g the separately-actuated contact type, areversing switc a pair of electromagnets for actuating said reversing switch,- a master.

controller, a master reversing switch, connections arranged to cause one of said magnets to be operated in onc running osition'of the master reversing switch and t e other magnet to be operated in the other runningposition of the master reversing switch, and control circuits to cause said motor to be connectedto said source and its speed varied. upon the operation'of the master controller, and a brake switch arranged to reverse the connections between the master reversing 1 switch and the electromagnets and to alter the control circuits so that the operation of the master controller short-circuits the motor.

19. In combination, a four-motor equipment, a source of current supply, a resistance, a'controll'er arranged to connect the motors successively in series, seriesarallel and in parallel to said source of-supp y, and to vary the amount of said resistance in the 7 motor circuit, auxilia resistances connected to adjacent termina s of two of the motors" and on opposite sides-of the switch connect mg said motor terminals, and means for c'onnecting the remaining terminals of said aux; iliary' resistances to -op osite sides -..of the source of current supply fore said switch is opened.

combination, a four-motor equip:

' ances permanently connected to the motor circuit on opposite sides of'a series switch,

4 r and contacts insaid controller arranged to fore said series. switch is opened;

connect said auxiliary resistances to op osite terminals of the source of current supp ,y be- 21. In combination, a our-motor equipment, a'source of current supply, a resistance, a motor controller having contacts arranged to successively connect the motors in series in series-parallel and in parallel and resistance-contro ances connected to the motor circuit on oppoing contacts, auxiliary resist.-

site sides of a series contact, and contacts for connecting theauxilialiy resistances to opposite sides of the source of current supply, certain of the parallel contacts being arranged to shunt said auxilia resistances, the arrangement being such t at the contacts for govopened and then the said series contact opened and the said parallel contacts closed. 22. In combination, motors, a source of current supply, resistance, a controller having a series contact, parallel contacts and resistance controlling contacts, auxiliary resistances'connected to the motor on opposite sides of the series contact,-contacts for connecting said auxiliary resistances to opposite sides of the source of current supply, and means for controlling said contacts in such a manner that the contacts for governing the auxiliary resistances are closed between the Jclosing and subsequent opening of the said l resistance-controlling contacts and" before the said series contact is opened. j In witness whereof, I'have hereunto set my hand this 6th day of April, 1906.

' GEORGE H. HILL.

Witnesses BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN ORFORD.

erning the auxiliary resistances are closed, ,p then the resistance controlling contacts 

